Improvement in horse-detachers



J. P. GRUTCHER. Horse-De'taoher.

No. 219,448. Patented Sept. 9,1879.V

,23a/mo?? NJEERS. WDTMUMOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. 11C. V

UNITED STATES PATENT ()EEIcEO JAMES P. CRUTCHER, OF BETHESDA, TENNESSEE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSE-DETACHERSV` Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 2 19,448, dated September 9, 1879; application filed February 27, 1879.

To all whom it may concern: y

Beit known that I, JAMES P. GRUTCHER, of Bethesda, in the county ot' Williamson and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and Improved Horse-Detachin g Apparatus for Vehicles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, c1ear,and exact description ot' p the same.

` engagement with the traces by means of spring-catches or locking devices, as hereinafter described.

In accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification', I show a plan view of one `end ot' a singletree provided with my im proved trace-detaching mechanism.

A indicates a t'errule applied to `the end ot' thesingle-tree, and B a metal plate, which is secured to said ferrule, but is separated from the endthereof, so that, taken together, the two i'orin an. open socket to receive the end of trace G. The rod D is bent twice at right angles, and one part slides through the body of ferrule A, while the long arm enters a socket formed on or attached to the back of the ferrule. A spring is placed in the socket behind the rod D to press it outward or toward the plate B, and thus hold it engaged with the trace C, through the eye of which it passes, as

rod D, which is provided with a notch or recess to receive the saine.

The parts shown in the drawing are, of course, duplicated in practice on the other end of the single-tree, and the two straps E passed through loops at or near the pivot of the single-tree, and are connected with a strap4 (not shown) which extends to the drivers seat. Thus, when imminent dan ger or other occasion requires, the driver in ay retract the slidin g rods D and release the traces G b v pulling on the straps E, and the rods D will be held thus retracted by the spring-catches F engaging the notches in said rods. To release the rods D the free ends of catches F are depressed.

I do not claim, broadly, a sliding rod for securing a trace to a single-tree, nor retracting such rod by means of a pull-strap; but

What I do claim is- The combination of locking-catch F with sliding rod D, having a notch or recess, as specified, the ferrule A, plate B, and strap E, substantially as shown and described.

J. r. c EUTcHEE Witnesses:

W. J. JAcKsoN, J. A. GUN. 

